mckelvey



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l,

' S. D. MGKELVEY.

PHONOGRAPH.

Patented Jan. 1. 1895.

L mms evans co. mow-uwe, mswwc'rca, n c.

(Ne Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

S. D. MGKBLVEY.

PHO'NUGRAPH.

No. 531,690. Patented Jan. l, 1895.

w.: Normes Evans co. Praommwa., mseamofon, u cy NrTnD STATES PATENT STEVAR'I DlXON MCKELVEY, OF CANTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO JOSEPH A. LNVILLE, OF SAME PLACE.

PHONOGRAPH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,690, dated January 1, 1895.

Application filed March 31,1892. Serial No. 427,298. (No model.)

To all wir-m it may concern; trator nipple to the mouth of the diaphragm Be it known that I, STEWART DIXON MC- chamber that an escape of sound, except KELVEY, a citizen of the United States, rethrough the concentrator, will be prevented. siding at Canton, in the county et Stark and Other objects and advantages will be fully 55 State of Ohio, have invented certain new and understood from the following description useful Improvements in Phonographs; and l and claims, when taken in conjunction with do hereby declare the following to be a full, the accompanying drawings, in whichclear, and exact description of the invention, Figure l is a perspective View et my imsuch as will ena-ble others skilled in the art to proved phonograph. Fig. 2 is a vertical, dia- 6o 1 o which it appertain-s to make and use the same. metrical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a ver- Myinvention has relation to improvements tical, diametrical section disclosinga modified in phonographs and is designed more particconstruction of diaphragm chamber. Fig 4 ularly as an improvement upon the phonois a perspective View of the intermediate amgraphs disclosed in my prior applications, plificatory lever mechanism, together witha 65 filed November 5,1891, and January S, 1892, portion of the drop-stud of the diaphragm, Serial Nos. 411,001 and 417,433, respectively. removed. Fig. 5 is an elevation of a modified The several objects of my present invenform of the amplificatory lever mechanism, tion, among other things, are, iirst, to provide Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified cona diaphragm chamber of such a form and struction of support for the intermediate 7o zo construction that the sound Waves will be ampliiioatory mechanism. Fig. 1' is a side concentrated and their impact exerted upon elevation of the recording style. Fig. S is a the center of the diaphragm so as to amplify longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 9 is a the vibrations thereof; second, to provide Side elevation 0 the reproducing style, and such mechanism intermediate the diaphragm Fig. l0 is a longitudinal section of the same. 75 and the recording style that the vibrations Referring bynumerals of designation tothe of the diaphragm will be amplified in transit said drawings and more particularly to Figs. and the said style consequently caused to 1,2 and ethereohhindicates the diaphragm make more positive indentations upon the carriage of my improved phonograph, Which recording tablet so as to amplify the movemay be formed from any suitable material 8o 3o ments of the reproducing style when the same and may be fed through the medium of any is thrown into operation; third, to provide suitable mechanism, as may also the recordsuch mechanism intermediate the reproducing tablet which may be in the form of a cyling style and the diaphragm that the vibrainder, as illustrated,a fla-t surtacaoraribbon, tions of the reproducing style will be amplias is most desirable. 85 fiedin transit to the diaphragm and the latter Formed in the carriage l, as better illusconsequently caused to give forth a greater trated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, is a bore 2, volume of sound; fourth, to provide such a and a counter-bore 3, whereby it will be perconnection between the said intermediate ceived that a shoulder a, is provided for the amplicatory mechanisms and the diaphragm support of the diaphragm 5, which preferably 9o 4o that either of the said mechanisms may be rests directly upon an insulating cushion-anreadily disconnected from the diaphragm nulos 6, by reason of which the vibrations of when not in use so as not to retard the vibrathe carriage will be prevented from affecting tions thereof; tth, to so support the mechanthe said diaphragm. Resting upon the upper isms carrying the recording and reproducside of the diaphragm 5, is an insulating ang5 4 5 ing styles that the same may be alternately nulus 7, for the same purpose as the annulus thrown into operation and held in such posi- 6; and resting upon the said annulus 7, is the tion; sixth, to provide such a connection of lower edge of the diaphragm chamber S,Which the recording and reproducing styles to the may be formed from any suitable material amplicatory mechanism that the said styles and is preferably provided with a lateral roo 5o may be readily removed when desirable, and, tiange, as illustrated, for the passage of screws seventh, to so detachably connect a concenthrough the medium of which it is connected io the carriage 1, as illustrated. This chamber S, which is preferably of the general bellshaped form employed, comprises a central bore 9, which extends from its upper end to a point adjacent to the diaphragm, and has its lower end flaring, as shown, so as to allow of a free egress, and ingress of the sound waves, and the convex-curved chamberlO, which surrounds the lower end ofthe bore 9, and serves, in practice, to lead the sound waves rising from the diaphragm at points remote from the center thereof, into the bore 9, through which the said waves are discharged.

In thepractice of my invention I prefer to have the walls of the bore 9, and the chamber lO, very smooth so as not to retard the passage of the sound; and by the provision of a bore, such as 9, in the diaphragm chamber it will be readily perceived that the sound waves are led directly to the diaphragm and the vibrations of said diaphragm amplified, which is an important desideratum.

Preferably formed integral with the diaphragm chamber 8, adjacent to the upper end thereof, is a collar flange ct, which is provided at diametrically opposite points with notches, as illustrated, and has its lower side inclined from the said notches to apoint approximately midway of the same, for a purpose presently set forth.

Z7, indicates the concentrator nipple, which is preferably of a cylindrical form, as illustrated, and is designed to effect a connection of a concentrator, or the like, to the diaphragm chamber.

Formed integral with the nipple b, which is preferably tapered toward its upper end, and arranged at diametrically opposite points, are two angular lugs c, which are designed to take through the notches in the collar ct, and, when the nipple is turned, to engage the lower side of said collar to draw the nipple tightly down upon the upper end of the diaphragm chamber so as to absolutely prevent the escape of sound between the meeting ends of the diaphragm chamber and the concentrator, or the like, connected thereto.

Connected to the lower side of the carriage 1, by screws, or other suitable devices, is a hanger plate 11, which is provided with an aperture 12, for the passage ofthe drop-stud13, which is connected to the diaphragm 5, by the needles of filaments 14, which for the reasons disclosed in my prior applications, are each preferably arranged in a different nodal circle, as illustrated.

Connected to or formed integral with the hanger-plate 11, and depending therefrom is a lug 15, to which is pivotally connected the ear branch of the rocking bar 16, which is provided at one end with a loosely connected handle branch 17, through the medium of which the said bar is rocked to throw one of the styles into engagement with the recording tablet and the other style out of engagement therewith. This handle branch 17, as illustrated, is provided at intervals in its length with bevel teeth which are designed and adapted to engage a spring-pressed keeper latch 1S, which is mounted on the carriage 1, and serves, in practice to hold the bar 1G, in its adjusted position. Pivotally connected to the bar 16, and preferably at equidistant points from the vertical line of the drop-stud 13, are two approximately U-shaped levers 19, which serve to amplify the vibrations of the diaphragm, as presently described. Connected in a pivotal manner to the upper ends of the levers 19, are connecting arms 21,which are preferably formed from spring metal and are provided adjacent to their upper ends with slots to engage the transverse pins 2li, carried by the drop-stud 13, as better illustrated in Fig. 1t of the drawings.

By the provision of the connecting arms 2l, it will be readily perceived that when not in use one of the U-shaped levers 19, maybe readily disconnected from the drop-stud and its weight taken off the diaphragm, whereby the latter is rendered less stiff and more sensitive and is consequently better adapted to actuate the style carried by the connected lever or be vibrated by said style.

Fixedly connected to the lower ends of the levers i9, are spring clamping branches 22, which are provided at an intermediate point in their length with curved portions, as illus- ,trated, designed to seat the shank of the recording and reproducing styles 50, 5l, upon which the clamping branches are caused to bind bythe screws 23, as better illustrated in Fig. 1, by reason of which construction it will be readily perceived that the styles may be readily removed when desirable.

By the provision of the U-shaped levers 19, pivoted adjacent to their middles, approximately as shown, it will be readily perceived that the vibrations of the diaphragm will be amplified in transit to the recording style, while the vibrations of the reproducing style will be amplified in transit to the diaphragm, for a purpose hereinafter more fully set forth.

The shank 52, of the recording style 50, as better illustrated in Fig. 8, of the drawings, is provided in its lower end with a socket 53, which is preferably of a circular form in cross section and is pitched at an angle to the longitudinal plane of the said shank for a purpose presently perceived. Seated and detachably secured in the socket 53, ofthe shank 52, (preferably by a binding or set screw as shown) is the cylindrical shank 54, of the style point 55, which point is of a rectangular form in cross section, as illustrated, whereby it will be readily perceived that when one cutting corner is worn out, the point may be turned and another corner presented to the tablet. The shank 5G, of the reproducing style 5l, is also provided in its lower end with a socket 57, to receive the point 58, which is preferably of a blunt form, as shown, and is preferably secured in the socket of the shank by a binding or set screw, as illustrated.

In Fig. 3 of thedrawings have illustrated IOC IIC

a construction of phonograph, which is similar in all respects to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the exception that the diaphragm chamber, St, is made in the Well-known bellshape and has its interior flared from its up-Y per to its lower end, which is preferable in those cases where it is desirable for the diaphragm to vibrate in but a moderate degree.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings I have illustrated a modification of the amplilicatory levers, which are designed and adapted to amplify the vibrations of the diaphragm in a greater degree or ratio than the levers disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. Referring by numerals of designation to the said Fig. 5, 16, indicates a rock-bar which is similar to that employed in the construction before described and is designed and adapted to be rocked or adjusted in a corresponding manner to throw one style into engagement with the recording tablet and the other style out of engagement therewith, as before described. Pivotally connected at a point off its middle to the bar 16, and preferably adjacent to the lower edge thereof is a lever 19, which is preferably provided with clamp branches of the construction described for the attachment of the recording style. Pivotally connected to the shorter end of the lever 19, is a link 27, which is also pivotally connected to the long end of a lever 2S, which lever 2S, is preferably provided at its shorter end with one of the engaging arms 2l, although it might be connected directly to the drop-stud 13, if desirable. By reason of connecting the short end of the liever 28, to the stud 18, and the long end of said lever to the short end of the lever 1Q, it Will be readily seen that when the diaphragm is vibrated, the primary degree of movement will be transmitted to the short end of the lever 2S, and the longer end of said lever will be caused to move a greater distance, and it being connected to the short end of the lever 19, will cause the longer end of said lever 19, to move a still greater distance, whereby it will be readily perceived that the style carried by the long end of the lever 19, will he caused to move a much greater distance than the vibratory movement of the diapharagm and will be caused to make much more positive indentations than when the vibratory movement is transmitted direct from the diaphragm to the recording style.

Pivotally connected at a point off its middie to the bar 1G, and preferably adjacent to the lower edge thereof, is a lever 29, which has its short end preferably provided with clamping branches such as before described to hold a reproducing style, While its long end is connected by a link 30, to the short end of a lever 31, which has its long end connected in turn with the drop-stud 13, whereby it will be readily perceived that the vibrations of the reproducing style Will be amplified in transit to the diaphragm,by reason of which the vol ume of reproduced sound Will be materially greater than the volume of sound recorded upon the recording tablet.

By the provision of amplificatory mechanism intermediate the diaphragm and the recording style, and intermediate the reproducing style and the diaphragm it will be readily perceived that when the device is adjusted to record, a greater volume of sound will be recorded upon the recording tablet than that introduced into the diaphragm chamber, and that when the device is adj usted to reproduce, a greater volume of sound will be discharged from the diaphragm chamber than that recorded upon the recording tablet, which is a highly important desideratum.

Although I have described a specific number of amplificatory levers .for the purpose stated, yet I do not desire to be confined to the same,nor do I desire to confine myself to the amplilicatory levers of any specific form or to any specific manner of connecting the same to the drop-stud.

In Fig. 6 of thedrawings,l have disclosed a modified construction embodying two parallel rocking bars 16, which are suitably connected together and are designed to receive between them the amplicatory levers before described. This modified construction is designed more especially for use in those cases Where the feed of the carriage is transverse to the record line of a flat surface tablet, in which cases it will be readily perceived that the two bars will prevent the objectionable lateral thrusts of the styles so incidental to lateral feed of the carriage, as set forth.

Although I have, in some particulars, specifically described the construction and relative arrangement of the several elements of my improved phonograph, yet I do not desire to be confined to the same, as I reserve the right to make such changes or modifications as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a phonograph, the combination with a diaphragm; of a style and amplificatory mechanism intermediate the diaphragm and style; for the purpose set forth. Z

2. In a phonograph, the combination with a recording tablet; of a diaphragm, a style, and amplificatory mechanism intermediate the diaphragm and style; for the purpose set forth.

3. In a phonograph, the combination with a diaphragm; of a recording style, and amplicatory mechanism adapted to amplify the vibrations of the diaphragm While in transit to the style; for the purpose set forth.

4. In a phonograph, a reproducing style, in combination with a diaphragm, and amplificatory mechanism intermediate said style and IOO IIO

" phragm While in transit to the style, a reproducing style, and ampli ticatory mechanism intermediate the reproducing style and the diaphragm adapted to amplify the vibrations or movements of said style While in transit to the diaphragm; for the purpose set forth.

6. In a phonograph, the combination with a recording tablet, and a diaphragm, the rocking bar, a suitable means for adjusting and adjustably fixing said bar, a recording style, amplicatory mechanism intermediate the diaphragm and the recording style, the reproducing style, and amplicatory mechanism intermediate the reproducing style and the diaphragm; for the purpose set forth.

7. In a phonograph, the combination with a recording tablet; of adiaphragm chamber, a diaphragm mounted in said chamber, a recording style, amplificatory mechanism intermediate the diaphragm and said style, a reproducing style and ampliiicatory mechanism intermediate said style and the diaphragm chamber; substantially as set forth.

8. In a phonograph, the combination With a diaphragm; of a recording` style, an amplificatory lever intermediate the diaphragm and style, a reproducing style, and an amplificatcry lever intermediate said style and diaphragm; substantially as Set forth.`

9. In a phonograph, the combination with a diaphragm; of a recording style, and a system of levers intermediate the diaphragm and said style, so arranged, connected together and connected to the diaphragm and style as to amplify the vibrations of the former While in transit to the latter; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a phonograph, the combination with a diaphragm; of a reproducing style and a system of levers intermediate the reproducing style and the diaphragm, connected together and connected to the style and diaphragm so as to amplify the vibrations of the former while in transit to the latter; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a phonograph, the combination with a recording tablet; of a diaphragm, a recording style, a system of levers intermediate the diaphragm and said style so arranged, connected together and connected to the diaphragm and style as to amplify the Vibrations of the former While in transit to the latter, a reproducing style, and a system of levers intermediate the reproducing style and the diaphragm so arranged, connected together and connected to the style and diaphragm as to amplify the vibrations of the former While in transit to the latter; all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. Ina phonograph, substantially as described, the combination with the carriage, and the hanger plate connected thereto and having a depending branch; of the parallel, connected rocking bars pivotally connected to the hanger plate, and carrying the style carrying mechanism between them; substantially as specified.

13. In a phonograph, a recording style, substantially as described, comprising a shank and a point of rectangular form in cross-seotion detachably connected to the shank; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

let. In a phonograph, substantially as described, the combination With a style shanl; having a socket in its lower end pitched at an angle to its longitudinal plane; of a point ot' rectangular form in cross section seated in the socket of the shank, and a suitable means forremovably securingthe point inthe socket of the shank; substantially as specified.

l5. An improved diaphragm chamber for phonographs, comprising a central, cylindrical, longitudinal bore having its lower end flared, and a convex curved annular chamber surrounding thelower end of the central bore, substantially as and for the purpose specified. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witness'es.

STEWART DIXON MOKELVEY.

Witnesses:

I-I. EARL. McKnLvnY, W. P. WELLS. 

